Fogg looks like candidate for pen now

When the white-hot Rockies, winner of six straight spring training games, resume play today at Hi Corbett Field, Josh Fogg will occupy a new role. He’s technically a candidate for the fifth starter’s spot, but his schedule suggests otherwise. He’s scheduled to follow Greg Reynolds today. If Reynolds goes four, or possibly five, that would leave only two innings for Fogg.

That’s going backward from his previous workload, casting him as a contender for the final bullpen spot in a competition between Juan Morillo, who is out of options, and Matt Belisle. Fogg knew that a long relief was a possibility when he signed a minor-league deal.

He pitched out of the bullpen sparingly for the Rockies and Reds over the past two seasons. There are two spots open following Taylor Buchholz’s elbow injury that will likely keep him out until May (the training staff is understandably being overcautious). However, Ryan Speier, who has no more minor league options remaining, has been praised by Hurdle for his strong camp showing.

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.